Breaking Ice

Chapter 3

Chloe

Unknown: Sorry, I've been an asshole. Can we start over, котенок? With Cyrillic letters that I cannot read nor understand I can guess who the message has come from. I put his number into my contacts but decide against replying to him. He can apologise later today as I will be present at his interview.

Everyone but him has been super friendly and helpful since I started and I slowly started to relax, knowing my job is safe and I've already made some progress with exposure. There is still a long way to go but I think tonight's interview will be a success especially now that I know Alexander is regretting his actions. Why do the good-looking guys always have to be such assholes?

Guess people are right when they say don't meet your inspiration, you will be disappointed. Or childhood crush, in my case.

I finish up with my work and turn towards Kate who has a sheepish smile on her face. This girl is something else. I wish I had her confidence and be just as friendly and forward going but she's definitely getting me out of my shell little by little.

"You got something to tell me? How did the Vipers goalie get my number?
Coincidentally happened around the same time as you had the "meeting" with him" I say with an accusatory tone that I pair with a smile so she knows I'm not mad. Back in the day, I might have been ecstatic to get his number but now he is my job, can't afford to forget that.

"He explained why he did what he did! I mean it was the stupidest idea ever but he just wanted you to text him." She laughs and her reply amuses me as well. He went with the asshole act in hopes I will reach out directly? Is that why he left me his number which I specifically ignored and decided against putting it in my contacts?

"Are you saying that he made my life twice as hard cause he wanted to get my attention?" dry laughs leave my lips and I'm not sure what this 28-year-old professional man thought. Well, actually that's the issue - he didn't.

"Well, hockey players get hit on the head quite a lot so maybe he got a tad of brain damage that day?" she was amused. I was the opposite. He made my life ten times harder by not replying to any other of the emails when I tried to figure out who he was as a person so I could best arrange the meetings, photoshoots etc. Well, to be fair I got to witness him hating listening to Kate talk for two hours straight. Even she was a little tired afterwards so she didn't talk my ear off daily.

I honestly can't believe how fast my life has changed and that it was possible to have a laugh in the office, talking to a colleague who is genuinely happy that I am here. George has also been a great help in encouraging and supporting my ideas. I just wish I had the guts to leave LA sooner. The rest of the team has welcomed me warmly, offering any help if needed. It's incredible how different they are from my past team.

Kate and I carried on the small talk till I had to leave to go to the rink where I could see Alexander already skating around, most of his gear is on but he left out the helmet and fucking hell does he look good. His hair is everywhere, tint of pink on his cheeks as he warms up even though they already had their practice today. Then again I can't be surprised, he might be talented as hell but you don't become the best without the training.

"You know you gotta speak during the interview not show off your skills?" I say with a hint of a smile, I want to be angry with him but after hearing his reasoning I'm mostly left just amused. Still annoyed for making my job harder though so he better apologise a few extra times.

He turns and effortlessly skates towards me, the quietness surprises me with his size. If I wasn't watching him, he could have easily sneaked up on me.

"Maybe but I gotta impress you somehow." He smiles showing off his dimples. God, he is beautiful. I need to constantly remind myself that he is my job and that there can be nothing more besides a professional relationship between us.